2016 Nissan Navara: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Nissan Navaras, from 7,598 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Nissan Navaras than on all cars registered in 2016.
- Anti-roll bar bushes and joints36.3× usualNissan Navara10.9% All 2016 cars0.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) CheckatradeAt the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
- Number plate lights3.3× usualNissan Navara10.4% All 2016 cars3.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Ball joint3.4× usualNissan Navara9.5% All 2016 cars2.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Engine oil leaks3.2× usualNissan Navara8.9% All 2016 cars2.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
- Rigid brake pipes4× usualNissan Navara7.6% All 2016 cars1.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Tyre condition: 4.4% here, against 13.3% of all 2016 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.5% here, against 6.1% of all 2016 cars.
By area
The share of 2016 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension32% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Brakes25% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Lights and electrics21% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres21% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Oil and fluid leaks10% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Brake light wiring recall (built to June 2016)Early cars with a hard top
Some early pick-ups with an official hard top could lose the high-level brake light through a voltage drop. A wiring upgrade fixed it.
At the viewing: Check the high-level brake light works.
Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Navara (Mk3, 2016 on) review
- Off-road damageAll engines
Check the chassis and underside for damage from hard off-road use.
At the viewing: Look underneath at the chassis and sills.
Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Navara (Mk3, 2016 on) review
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 127 | Brakes 17% |
| 2021 | 6,886 | Brakes 17% |
| 2020 | 4,167 | Brakes 19% |
| 2019 | 7,185 | Brakes 22% |
| 2018 | 7,665 | Suspension 27% |
| 2017 | 8,694 | Suspension 34% |
| 2015 | 3,812 | Suspension 35% |
| 2014 | 3,375 | Suspension 38% |
| 2013 | 3,284 | Suspension 40% |
| 2012 | 3,106 | Lights and electrics 42% |
| 2011 | 3,541 | Suspension 44% |
| 2010 | 1,698 | Suspension 42% |
| 2009 | 1,531 | Lights and electrics 46% |
| 2008 | 1,444 | Suspension 44% |
| 2007 | 1,778 | Suspension 44% |
| 2006 | 1,534 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2005 | 982 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2004 | 619 | Brakes 49% |
| 2003 | 246 | Brakes 49% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Nissan Navaras registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score